May Card Spending 'Healthy'

A report released last Monday by NATSO payment processing partner and Chairman Circle member First Data Corp. found that same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EPT cards and checks at U.S. retail locations rose seven percent year-over-year. April’s growth was 5.7 percent.

However according to the report, consumers were more cautious with spending in discretionary categories in May. Industries such as hotels and restaurants saw significantly slower dollar volume growth in May compared with April. Overall year-over-year average ticket growth was 1.0 percent in May, up from April’s -0.1 percent growth. In May, credit dollar volume growth surged to 8.2 percent past April’s growth figure of 5.8 percent.

“Overall May card spending growth was healthy, but there is reason for caution. During the month we saw consumers reducing the growth of their discretionary spending at retail merchants and increasingly resorting to credit for necessities,” said Silvio Tavares, senior VP and division manager of First Data Global Information and Analytics Solutions, which publishes SpendTrend.

NATSO and First Data offer a program designed to reduce the significant payment processing costs associated with operating a travel plaza. The cost effective, competitive solution for processing credit card transactions is fast, convenient and secure and includes a fee structure that has no chargeback fees. For more information, contact Dan Hudson at (703) 398-5831 or email Dan.Hudson@FirstData.com.

Amy Toner

Toner markets NATSO products, services and meetings. She is the content editor of NATSO's core websites, Stop Watch magazine and Highway Business Matters biweekly articles. In addition, she provides creative services across all departments. Toner joined NATSO in 2006. Prior to joining the association, she served as director of membership services at an association for ambulatory surgery centers. Toner lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband and son. More